Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Newsletter
Issue 2, July 2015 Quarter 2
United Nations Baa Atoll Educational, Scientific and Biosphere Reserve since 2011 Cultural Organization Man and the Biosphere Programme
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF BAA ATOLL UNESCO BIOSPHERE RESERVE OFFICE
As we welcome you to the Second Edi on of the BR Newsle er 2015, the mantas are back in numbers at Hanifaru Bay deligh ng us all with their underwater dances. It is indeed great news for all manta lovers and truly Hanifaru Manta Season 2015 has indeed kicked off in style with the numbers of mantas observed at the bay. One new feature we have observed in Hanifaru Season 2015 is that Guest House Tourism is on the rise in Baa Atoll and visitors from these newly opened Guest Houses are visi ng Hanifaru thus adding a new resource user to the area. Please keep sending your feedback to info@broffice.gov.mv in making the Newsle er more produc ve as you have been doing so.
ANNUAL HANIFARU CLEANUP UNDERTAKEN The annual Hanifaru Marine Protected Area The name cleanup and maintanence “manta ray” program work of mooring comes from the bouys was undertaken on Lati n m antum 23 May. Par cipants included those from mea ni ng cloak or shawl Eydhafushi government and in the ind tu ons, companies, maldivian language interested par es from the general public, resort par cipa on especially from Amillafushi, Kihaad Maldives and mantas are known as Reethi Beach Resort. “E N MAD I” This is the third year running of the cleanup and maintenance program undertaken to date and we wish to thank all those involved in making this event a huge success.
Scientific Name Manta alfredi WED 2015 CELEBRATIONS Lower classifications As part of celebra ng World Giant Oceanic manta ray Reproduction Environment Day 2015 in Baa Atoll, Dependent Higher classification upon size rather than age. Eagle ray three major ac vi es was undertaken Rank in Baa Atoll. Life Expectency Genus These ac vi es included Tree Plan ng in Thulhaadhoo, Cleanup of Goidhoo At least 40 years Koaru Area and inaugura on of Maalhos Waste Management Services. The ac vi es in Goidhoo and Thulhaadhoo was undertaken on 5 June while Threats Diet inagura on of Maalhos Waste Management Services was held on 6 June . Commercial Fisheries. Zooplankton. Bycatch. Habitat degradation. MEETING WITH BAARU Boat accidents. Distribution Pacific Ocean. Indian Ocean. Habitat Atlantic Ocean. Tropical and subtropical coats. Conservation Status Coastal Reefs. “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. Atolls. Bays.
Manta rays are large eagle rays belonging to the genusgenus Manta.Manta. The Director General of Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office Mr.Ibrahim Naeem The larger species, together with Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Environment and Energy Mr.Abdulla Manta birostris, reaches Mohamed Didi a ended a mee ng held with BAARU on 23 June. The agenda items 7 m (23 ft) in width discussed in the mee ng included those of holding a Baa Atoll Fes val in the middle of while the smaller, 2016, issues rela ng to Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve and coming up with guidelines for the other protected areas of Baa Atoll. Manta alfredi, The mee ng was a ended by 22 par cipants from 12 organiza ons and was hosted reachesreaches 5.5 m (18 ft 1 in)in) by Sonevafushi.
flying made simple GREEN LEAF AWARD The President’s Green Leaf Award, the most pres gious award in recogni on to the outstanding work undertaken towards WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2015 protec on and preserva on of environment will CELEBRATIONS be awarded once again in 2015. Those eligible for the Green Leaf Award are individuals, CSOs, Numerous programmes were held to mark World businesses, government agencies and academic ins tu ons. Environment Day 2015 (WED2015) across the First awarded in 1995 , this is an annual award by country. The events held at a na onal level included the President for Environmental Excellence and a Photography Compe on, Awarding of has over 45 recipients to date and aims to widen President’s Green Leaf Award, Tree Plan ng in par cipa on of the people and strengthening the environment partnership. Hulhumale’, ac vi es related to Saafu Raajje’ (Clean Maldives Ini a ve), one na on coral revival PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION programme and a campaign on environmental As part of World Environment Day celebra ons awareness on na onal television by technical (WED2015), Ministry of Environment and experts from the Environment Ministry. Energy launched its second Environment In Baa Atoll three majoir ac vi es were undertaken Photography Compe on. The themes for 2015 compe on is centered on Environment and namely tree plan ng in Thulhaadhoo, Cleanup of Sustainable Development, Environmental the Mangrove protected area (Goidhoo Koaru) in Impacts, Culture through biodiversity and Goidhoo and the inaugura on of the Waste Environment and Human. Management Services in Maalhos. CLEAN MALDIVES INITIATIVE GOIDHOO MANGROVE AREA CLEANUP The Clean Maldives Ini a ve “Saafe Raajje” was launched in May by the Environment Minister Baa Atoll Goidhoo Mangorve Area cleanup was Mr, Thoriq Ibrahim. A number of senior ranking undertaken on 5 June 2015 as part of the work to be officials form the government and various other undertaken in prepara on for implemen on of the ONE NATION CORAL REVIVAL stakeholders par cipated in the event. management plan for the area. The management Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Mr. Thoriq Ibrahim highlighted the importance of the plan is being drawn up to be er manage the area campaign and urged every ci zen to take with the par cipa on of the community. individual and collec ve responsibility for the Goidhoo Council, Baa Atoll Council, BR Office, reduc on and proper management of waste and NGOs, school children, Women’s Development he also noted the significant role of individuals in Commi ee and the general public took part in the making the country a cleaner place. cleanup event. THULHAADHOO TREE PLANTING Plan ng of trees in the reclaimed area on Thulhaadhoo was carried out on 5 June 2015. This ac vity was undertaken, under the ini atve “make the land green” and to and encourage vegeta on in the area. The event was par cipated by Thulhaadhoo Council, “ONE NATION CORAL REVIVAL” was hosted as Baa Atoll Council, NGOs, school children, Women’s a first of its kind Environment Fes val in Viligili Development Commi ee, Cocopalm Resort and the on 5 and 6 June. Different environmental general public. Under the program the guardianship organiza ons together with local ar sts and of the trees that planted were handed over to school musicians converged at one point to interact with and generate public awareness towards children by the Island Council. the importance and vulnerability of our reefs. What makes this event special is that the coral INAUGURATION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT nursery started with coral colonies rescued from CENTRE IN MAALHOS reclama on site in Hulhumale’ will be planted in The inaugura on of Waste Management Facility on the Viligili reef during the event. “ONE NATION Maalhos was held at a special func on on the island CORAL REVIVAL” is an in a on of Save the on 6 June. The President of Baa Atoll Council Mr. Beach Viligili on reviving the coral reefs of Viligili Mohamed Adil, Deputy Minister of Environment Mr. and the NGO hopes that the project would add Abdulla Mohamed Didi, President of the Women’s spark to the momentum of reviving the delicate Development Commi ee of Maalhos Mrs. Sameera evironment by inspiring community ownership, Ibrahim, representa ves from Baa Atoll engagement and responsibility towards our Conserva on Fund, World Bank Maldives coral reefs. Environmental Management Project, BR Office and Environment Minister Mr. Thoriq Ibrahim and members from the public were present at this Tourism Minister Mr. Ahmed Adheeb were func on. present at this event. WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2015 CELEBRATIONS INAUGURATION OF ISLAND WASTE MANAGEMENT SERVICE on BAA MAALHOS The inaugura on of Waste Management Facility on Maalhos was held at a special func on on the island on 6 June. The President of Baa Atoll Council Mr. Mohamed Adil, Deputy Minister of Environment Mr. Abdulla Mohamed Didi, President of the Women’s Development Commi ee of Maalhos Mrs.Sameera Ibrahim, representa ves from Baa Atoll Conserva on Fund, World Bank Maldives Environmental Management Project and Biosphere Reserve Office were present at this func on.
Under the programme ini ated on Maalhos waste will be collected from all households and transported to the Waste Management Center where waste segrega on would be undertaken. Also at the Center oragnic compos ng will done and environment friendly fer lizers will be produced. A user fee is levied on each household for this service and all households in Maalhos have joined this programme. This is the first of its kind ini a ve in Baa Atoll and we are hopeful that the lessons learned will be replicated elsewhere in the atoll.
The Deputy Minister of Environment Mr. Abdulla Mohamed Didi, while addressing the gathering highlighted that the ini a on of Maalhos Women’s Development Commi ee and the commitment shown by Maalhos Council in paving the way for this to become a reality. He also spoke of the commitment of Maalhos residents in making the island clean over the period of me and wished the very best on the tasks undertaken jointly by Maalhos Women’s Development Commi ee and Maalhos Island Council.
Maalhos Waste Management Centre is a joint effort by Maalhos Women’s Development Commi ee and Maalhos Island Council funded under the Baa Atoll Also speaking at the func on the President of Baa Atoll Conserva on Funds grants programme and supported by World Bank Maldives Council Mr. Mohamed Adil looked on the need for succesful Environmental Management Project. comple on of projects under the BACF grants programmes. We wish to congratulate Maalhos Women’s Development Commi ee and He went on to say that all repor ng should be carried out on Maalhos Island Council for taking this huge step forward in managing waste. me and mely delivery should always be the first priority. He also congratulated Maalhos Women’s Development Commi ee on winning grants from Baa Atoll Conserva on Fund and showing the required output required working together with all necessary stakeholders. WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2015 CELEBRATIONS HANIFARU CLEANUP AND MAINTENANCE / 23 MAY 2015 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2015 CELEBRATIONS TREE PLANTING ON BAA THULHAADHOO 05 JUNE 2015 Baa Atoll U N E S C O World Biosphere Reserve PROTECTED AREAS GOIDHOO KOARU REGION UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Baa Atoll
Fareedhaafinolhu
Fulhadhoo Rahkairifinolhu Fehendhoo Innafushi
Goidhoo
GOIDHOO MANGROVES
Mathifaruhuraa Dhashufaruhuraa Dhorukandu
GOIDHOO ATOLL Name and alterna ves: Goidhoo Koaru / Baa Atoll
Goidhoo Koaru is located in the north eastern corner of Area of site (ha): 13.90 ha Goidhoo Island in Goidhoo Atoll (the southern most natural Administra on Status: A protected area administered by the Ministry of atoll in Baa Atoll), located directly adjacent to the largest community and on the largest land mass within Baa Atoll. It is Environment, Energy and Water / Environmental Protec on Agency / Baa roughly oval in shape, approximately 450 metres long and Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Office 300 metres wide with a water depth ranges of between 0.5 to Conserva on status: Protected area since 5 June 2011 under the 1.5 metres. The Koaru is surrounded by mangrove trees with the densest Environment Protec on and Preserva on Act (4/93) forest located in the north east, bordered on the southern Special Features: This area has the highest biodiversity and largest side by the community and open to the reef flat and water mangrove forest within Baa Atoll and one of the largest mangrove exchange via a number of channels on the northern side. Water exchange is dal however due to the build up of debris ecosystems within the nation and has a high biodiversity population of from natural storm events and direct man made mangrove associated vertebrates and invertebrates.This site is also a interven ons, water flow exchange rates have been popular roosting site for migratory birds such as the Ruddy Turnstone significantly reduced. The reduc on in water exchange has had a significant nega ve impact on the environment and and Nothern Shoveler. A number of other migratory birds are generally biodiversity within this natural system. found as well during the north-east monsoon in this area. In addi on, the past ac vi es of the community u lising the Management ac ons: Management Plan for the site at dra stage, to be Koaru as a dumping ground for house hold rubbish and the completed end 2015. removal of mangrove forest have greatly degraded its
72° 73° ecosystem func ons and its aesthe c value to the 59’51” E 00’00” E 00’09” E community and tourist alike. 52’57” N 52’57” N The biodiversity and environmental significance of this 73° 0' 1" unique mangrove system and Koaru cannot be understated
73° 0' 1"
73° 0' 4" and when func oning normally, plays a significant posi ve 73° 0' 9" 72° 59' 59" 73° 0' 4" 72° 59' 58" role in providing a safe and suitable nursery habitat for a wide 73° 0' 4"
52’48” N 52’48” N 72° 59' 54" 73° 0' 8" range of juvenile marine and coastal invertebrates and 72° 59' 52" 72° 59' 54"
72° 59' 53" vertebrates. 73° 0' 7" 72° 59' 52"
73° 0' 5" The Goidhoo Koaru is an important roos ng and breeding 73° 0' 2" 72° 59' 52"
72° 59' 53" habitat for a number of shorebirds found in Baa as well as 72° 59' 57"
4° 4° migratory winter visi ng birds. 52’39” N 52’39” N
Name Core Area Buffer Goidhoo 10.34 3.566
72° 73° 59’51” E 00’00” E 00’09” E Baa Atoll Protected Areas LEGEND Area 9 : Goidhoo Koaru 0 1,000 2000 Reef flat Buffer Zone meters PROJECTION: Transverse Mercator (UTM Zone 43); H ORIZONTAL DATUM: WGS84; Indicative Reef Boundary All features based satellite imagery 2003-2008 Prepared in May 2010 Core Area DIVE TRAINING FOR BR STAFF Two members of the Biosphere Reserve Team in Eydhafushi has undergone dive training at the Seasplash Dive Centre in Dusit Thani Maldives. Under the training program the 2 par cipants underwent open water and advanced open BR OFFICE JOINS BAA ATOLL EDUCATION CENTER IN MARKING water dive training, enriched air diving, CAREER DAY Emergency First Repsonse and rescue diving. Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve Office has taken part in the events organised by Baa Atoll BR Office wishes to thank the management of Educa on Center(BAEC) in Eydhafushi to mark the Career Day for the students of BAEC. Seapslash and Dusit Thani Maldives for Informa on was given to students on the BR Office , BR Workplan, the opportuni es available making this possible. at BR Office, work undertaken by the Rangers and the BR Team also clarified ques ons raised We are also pleased to inform that together by the par cipants as well. working with our partners in Baa Atoll two The event was par cipated by all government Ins tu ons public/private Companies and more BR Team members is scheduled to those who took part provided informa on on their rela ve sectors. undergo dive Training at Kihaad Diving Center The main aim of marking the Career Day by BAEC was to create awareness and to facilitate shortly. students to iden fy poten al career opportuni es which lies ahead in developing a sense of BR OFFICE ATTENDS 2 CASES VIOLATION OF how to shape up their professional lives. Numerous feedback by parents was received on the events held to mark the career day by PROTECTED AREAS GUIDELINES BAEC and they highlighted that these events should be held more o en so that the children would be more aware and ready to embark with their careers once they complete school.
“AMAANVESHI” AWARENESS PROGRAM BR Outreach team has par cipated in the ac vi es organized by Maldives Police Services under the slogan “Amaan Veshi” on two occassions during the second quarter of 2015. The Team first visited neighbouring Raa Atoll and provided informa on to students studying in Grades 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of Raa Atoll During the months of April, May and June Educa on Centre in the capital Ungoofaaru. there were 2 reported cases of viola ons on The second session was held in Baa Thulhaadhoo for the students studyingin Grades 8,9 and 10 the use of protected areas in Baa Atoll and on and the third session was held for the students of Grades 2 and 3 of Baa Atoll Educa on Centre. these 2 occassions BR Office together with During the first quarter of 2015 awareness sessions was held for the students studying in Maldives Police Services a ended these two Grades 8,9,10 and 11 of Baa Atoll Educa on Centre under this programme. incidents. “Amaan Veshi” is an ini a on of Maldives Police Services to create awareness amongst the Sand mining within the protected area of public of Baa Atoll focussing on different themes. The programme is designed to be undertaken Angafaru by a vessel from Alif Dhaalu Atoll was throughout the atoll and in the neighbouring atolls as well. the first reported case and BR office together with Maldives Police Services a ended the scene and the perpetrators were informed of DEPUTY MINISTER MEETS WITH their ac ons. NEW POLICE STATION COMMANDER The second case was that of fishing inside the The Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Environment and Energy Mr.Abdulla Mohamed Didi marine protected area of Hanifaru by a vessel a ended a mee ng held with new Sta on Commander of Maldives Police Services for Baa from Raa Atoll. BR Office and Maldives Poluice Atoll. The mee ng which held on 6 June was also a ended by staff from BR Office and Baa Atoll Services together visited the scene in this Conserva on Fund. instance as well and informa on was provided The purpose of this mee ng was to discuss issues rela ng to Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve and to the captain and the crew of the vessel of the management the Reserve itself working together with Maldives Police. their wrong doing. Both cases been sent to The Maldives Police Services gave the assurance that working together with the BR Office, Baa Environmental Protec on Agency for further Atoll Council and Island Councils, they will be ac vely involved as they have been doing so in ac on. managing and monitoring of the Reserve.
HANIFARU VISITOR frSTATSSeasonsvisitors30%8%12%3%1%0%TotalReethiFour(Landaa)SonevafushiDusitaniKihaadMARINEVISITORBeachPROTECTED2014 omAREAresorts Total From SafarisFromTotalMaldivianaAnantaraRoyalRandeliAmillaFushi16%10%20%Maldives Sub Azul5%2%14%7%9%16%4%8%6%AcropoCarpavitaDhoomsMVPrincesFunRomanticaAruthaExplorerSubAlbertrosEquatorMaldivesFleets webiste: www.broffice.gov.mvBIOSPHERE ATOLLRepublicGuestAtollDeDharavandhooGuestsCoralhouseBAAUNESCOBaawebiste:MaldivesofRESRVEEydhafushi,OFFICE AERILOLHUGIRIVIEW, ISLAND MANGROVE AREA, OLHUGIRI ISLAND RANGER HOTLINE 7905949
LESSER FRIGATE (FRIGATA AERIAL) HANIFARU MARINE PROTECTED AREA May 2015 (COMBINED STATISTICS) VISITOR STATISTICS / May to July 2015 Number of Visitors
46
27 17 6 7 4 2 3 2 3
June 2015 (COMBINED STATISTICS)
Number of Visitors
109 80 77 53 37 28 In this segment we take a look a Hanifaru Marine Protected Area in numbers. 8 5 4 Resorts, Dive Schools, Safari Vessels all are a common name when talking about visitors to Hanifau Bay. One very important visitor to the area that we have observed compared to Hanifaru Season 2014 are visitors from Guest Houses opera ng in Baa Atoll.
July 2015 May, June, July (COMBINED STATISTICS) Number of Visitors (COMBINED STATISTICS) 46
Number of Visitors 27 17 318 6 7 295 4 2 3 2 3 267
146 123 106 50 45 12 21 14 21 20 7 3 14 19 8
Safari Vessels
May June July
20 19 17 Guest House Tourism is on the rise in Baa Atoll and visitors from these newly 14 opened Guest Houses are visi ng Hanifaru thus adding a new resource user of the 8 area. The BR Office is in touch will all Guest House Operators in Baa Atoll making Island Safari Duke of York Fun Azul Fleet Dhaainkaba Blue Honours them all aware on the Hanifaru Management Plan. There will of course be lessons Legacy learned during Hanifaru Season 2015 with the new resource user and every effort Guest Houses will be taken ensure smooth running of opera ons. May June July
14 14
7 5 3 2
Aveyla Guest House Kethi Lodge Hanifaru Tourist Inn Dharavandhoo Divers
Resorts
May June July
192 182 190
109 87 80 84 77 53 46 50 51 37 2728 6 4 2 8 4 3 Upon the declara on by UNESCO, Baa Atoll Baa Atoll joins an illustrious list of interna onal a U N E S C O Biosphere Reserves including: The Galapogos World Biosphere Reserve Islands, Ayer's Rock in Australia, the Pantanal Life, economic prosperity and social wetlands of Brazil, the Niagara escarpment in development in Maldives depend upon Canada, the Sundarbans of India and the maintaining our atoll ecosystems in a healthy Amboseli Na onal Park in Kenya. natural state. Our reefs, islands and By working with the communi es of Baa Atoll, Biosphere Reserves have three key func ons: surrounding seas and their component the private sector and the all the other conserva on, learning and research, and biodiversity are the natural assets on which the relevant stakeholders the AEC Project sustainable development. They are vehicles tourism and fishing industries depend, which together with the Ministry of Environment was for knowledge-sharing, research and provide us with land for development and able to achieve the objec ves for which the monitoring, educa on and training, and materials for building, and which protect us project was designed for during the course of par cipatory decision-making. Biosphere from storms. More than almost any other the project's life me (2004 to 2012). Reserves are under na onal sovereign country in the world, our future is inextricably Work on declaring Baa Atoll as a UNESCO jurisdic on, yet share their experience and linked to the quality of our environment. Biosphere Reserve started in early 2009, a ideas regionally and interna onally within the series of workshops and mee ngs were held world network of Biosphere Reserves. right across the atoll which involved the Biosphere Reserves have three key func ons: par cipa on of all relevant stakeholders. conserva on, learning and research, and Discussions were also held at na onal level as sustainable development. They are vehicles well, which included the environment, for knowledge-sharing, research and tourism and the fisheries ministers mee ng to monitoring, educa on and training, and discuss the issue of declaring Baa Atoll as a par cipatory decision-making. Biosphere UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. With the Reserves are under na onal sovereign workshops and mee ngs completed and the jurisdic on, yet share their experience and conclusions of these poin ng towards Baa ideas regionally and interna onally within the There is widespread recogni on that Atoll to be declared as a UNESCO Biosphere world network of Biosphere Reserves. conven onal approaches have not been Reserve, one final round of community Biosphere Reserves are "living laboratories" effec ve in conserving our natural consulta on was undertaken in the same year. for tes ng and demonstra ng sustainable environment and biodiversity. We are losing The outcome of the community consulta ons development. They are therefore about the charisma c species like sharks, several fisheries indicated that over 95% of the Baa Atoll future, and how local people can conserve the are in decline, the land and seas are community was in favour of declaring Baa things they value - local knowledge, culture increasingly polluted, and we are threatened Atoll as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. and the environment - whilst ensuring with coastal erosion, storms and sea-level rise. There is an urgent need to plan and manage the country's natural resources in a more integrated and conserva on-oriented manner that is appropriate to the country's unique geography and ecology, socio-economic development and pa erns of resource use. Only by achieving this will future genera ons have the same rich natural resource base to support them that has sustained our development to date. Hence Baa Atoll was nominated to UNESCO by sustainable development. in other words the the Government of Maldives to be declared as designa on is about encouraging and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on 28 facilita ng people to work together, to live in September 2010 and in June 2011 at the 40th and manage the whole area for a sustainable anniversary of the United Na ons Educa onal, future. Scien fic and Cultural Organisa on's Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Office (UNESCO's) "Man and the Biosphere Reserve under the Ministry of Environment and Energy Program" in Dresden, Germany, the en rety of was opened in the capital of Baa Atoll, Baa Atoll in was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Eydhafushi by the government on 13 June Reserve. 2012 to be responsible for leading and UNESCO (the United Na ons Educa onal, coordina ng implementa on of the Biosphere Recognising this challenge, the Government of Scien fic and Cultural Organisa on) Reserve Strategy which comprises three Maldives established the Atoll Ecosystem coordinates a world network of over 500 programmes: Conserva on Programme, Conserva on Project (AEC Project) in 2004 Biosphere Reserves in 105 countries. These Learning and Research Programme; (with support of United Na ons Development are sites recognized under UNESCO's Man Livelihoods and Sustainable Development Program (UNDP) and the Global Environment and the Biosphere Programme, which Programme. Facility (GEF) with the purpose of designing innovate and demonstrate approaches to and demonstra ng an effec ve management conserva on and sustainable development. system for atoll ecosystem conserva on and World Biosphere Reserve are places where sustainable development on Baa Atoll, which conserva on, research and development could then be replicated throughout Maldives. successfully interconnect. They integrate Baa Atoll was selected as the demonstra on biological and cultural diversity, combining atoll for this project on account of its globally core protected areas with zones where significant biodiversity, the commitment and sustainable development - and innova ve capacity of local communi es, the poten al to approaches to it - are fostered, tested and address threats to biodiversity and developed by locals and enterprises alike. demonstrate sustainable use. GOIDHOO MANGROVE AREA CLEANUP 05 JUNE 2015 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2015 CELEBRATIONS United Nations Baa Atoll Educational, Scientific and Biosphere Reserve since 2011 Cultural Organization Man and the Biosphere Programme